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| Pvt. Max Smith served with the 119th Infantry Regiment in Normandy. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95172669/max-edward-smith https://www.oldhickory30th.com/PHOTO%20page%205.htm |
(Originally published August 13 by mistake.)
Max Edward Smith never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on August 31, 1919 in Ohio. His parents Flavel and Flossie were also both born in Ohio. His father worked as a coal miner and later as a plasterer. Still later he worked as an auto mechanic. Max had one older brother and two younger sisters. By 1940 Max had completed four years of college. He was working as a bookkeeper and was living as a lodger in Columbus.
He volunteered for the Army in November 1942, and despite having a college education, decided to stay an enlisted man. He became a private in 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division.
The 30th Infantry Division arrived in Normandy five days after D-Day. It moved to the front to replace 29th ID units that had taken heavy losses. By July 1, 1944 the 119th IR was fighting in the area near Le Meuffe. Action reports noted losses from enemy artillery and mortar fire. Pvt. Smith was killed on that day.
His grave is at Union Cemetery in Columbus, New York.
Last year on this date I profiled Truman Sharkey, 34th Infantry Division. You can read about Truman here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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